Thread: 223 on deer

@Thar
You’ve had a go with lots of projectiles with good success.
For a standard action length (Howa mini) where would you recommend starting? (Bush hunting fallow with max 80m shots over the dog)

Originally Posted by Freezer

@Thar
You’ve had a go with lots of projectiles with good success.
For a standard action length (Howa mini) where would you recommend starting? (Bush hunting fallow with max 80m shots over the dog)

55 grain Hornady or Sierra Game King.

Originally Posted by Tahr

55 grain Hornady or Sierra Game King.

Wow, that’s unexpected. Fast shock? Vs the 70-80gr ?

Try the 65grn sierra game kings, kills very well out of my ruger ranch rifle.

Anyone using the 64gr sierra game kings and the 73gr hornady eldm's with AR2206H in their tikka t3 if so how much powder are you using?

Originally Posted by Freezer

Wow, that’s unexpected. Fast shock? Vs the 70-80gr ?

nope..the KISS method......using .223 so 55grn is where its at....if you want to poke 80grns buy a 243 LOL.

A while back I was given 140 rounds of the cheap highland .223 ammo. Im really impressed with it and maybe its because my rifle likes it, but so far its almost shot for shot on big game.
Friday night and I shot a hind and yearling for the freezer, then as walking back to get the vehicle, I whacked a couple of hares as well.Thats one thing I like about it, I can shoot almost anything with that load and know it will work without being stupid.

I took a red stag in the roar with 55gr Gamekings in a 22-250. Admittedly it was at 15m put it still went down.

Originally Posted by Freezer

Wow, that’s unexpected. Fast shock? Vs the 70-80gr ?

Just got back from overnight hunt. Shot my 14th red for the last 5? weeks all with .223 55gr SP. 3x with handloads using Hornady SP, the rest Belmont Black ammo with what look to be Hornady 55SP cannelure projectiles. Shot at ranges from 78 to just under 300m. Most dropped on the spot or within 3-4 paces. One I shot on Friday morning, a trotting downhill crossing shot at about 170m made it about 40m before tipping over from a high lung shot. So no, not unexpected. Like Tahr I've tried various bullet weights but keep gravitating back to 55gr SP because they work. KISS.

I recommended the 55 because the question was "where to start". 55 is a good place to start 'cos they invariably shoot well and kill good enough. With the right twist there is no doubt 77 & 80 perform a lot better but a lot of people cant be bothered with the fiddling about with powders and loads to get them going.

Originally Posted by Tahr

I recommended the 55 because the question was "where to start". 55 is a good place to start 'cos they invariably shoot well and kill good enough. With the right twist there is no doubt 77 & 80 perform a lot better but a lot of people cant be bothered with the fiddling about with powders and loads to get them going.

I am extremely fortunate to know the chief fiddler @rambo-6mmrem so fiddling is part of the game.
So very interested in the 70-80gr info

Originally Posted by Freezer

I am extremely fortunate to know the chief fiddler @rambo-6mmrem so fiddling is part of the game.
So very interested in the 70-80gr info

77 grn Sierra Tipped, 80 grn ELDM, 80 grn Targex are all outstanding.

2206H or 2208. I use 2206H.

Need 1:8 twist.

Should get circa 2,800 fps from 20" barrel.

Thanks Thar, much appreciated

Originally Posted by Freezer

Thanks Thar, much appreciated

80 grn Targex ex a Fallow doe at 270 yards. Low shoulder.

mate that is PERFECT preformance fro mthe targex,at a fair decent range too.....them wobblies are in for a shock when you arrive.....its plurry chilly down here today,better pack your thermal longjohns.